CHAPTER SIX

Adán

I don't know what I was expecting, but the club is just as dull as it would have been when I was younger. Perhaps the case is that it's just not my scene. Majority of the club members, in fact, are all friends of my father and my uncles. Their wives are all here. Majority don't even have children, older or otherwise. Gerardo and Andrea are here, and Gerardo invited a few of his buddies and they brought their girlfriends. But they all found someplace to hide, which leaves me to stand next to my father while he talks on and on about . . . I don't really know. I've lost him three hours ago.

"Tu hijo es tan guapo!" says Señora Rivera, pinching my cheek, the way all the women have been doing since I was a young boy. "Y mira esa cara! Tan humilde!"

She keeps speaking, trying to get the attention of her friend. I notice a young woman, tall, blonde and slender, coming towards the group. She looks like Señora Rivera, which makes me think she might be the daughter. Señora Rivera introduces her as such, and pushes her towards me. Fantastic. She wants to match up together. Not going to happen. Not really.

"The club is magnificent," Camilla says, acknowledging the large hall in which we stand. "Anyone to marry into your family will be well off."

And this would be when I walk away, but I can't. Not here. I know I will have to marry at some point, but it will be on my terms. The woman I marry won't want me for the dollar signs of my worth. No, no. She will be someone who can handle this lifestyle and marry me for me.

"Have you ever seen Rome?" Camilla asks, taking my arm as we walk towards the balcony. "Es hermoso esta época del año."

"I will have to travel there one day," I reply, clearing my throat. "I'm sure my girlfriend will love the getaway."

Her expression visibly changes. Her lips pinch together and her forehead creases. Camilla removes her hand as she turns her gaze to the sea. The main building overlooks a beautiful scene of the ocean crashing against the rocky cliffs beneath us. There was quite a bit of rain this past week, so the waves are crashing harder than usual. It's beautiful.

"I'd best return to my mother," Camilla says, turning on her heel and walking back into the hall.

I sigh with relief. Perhaps it was a bit cruel to say that my nonexistent girlfriend would love Italy. It had to be done. And I don't care if she tells her friends. Let the word go around that I am taken. Nothing wrong with waiting for the right girl. I've had girlfriends before, and they are the reason I'm waiting.

"Hijo!" my father calls from inside and I turn to see him stalking towards me. "What could you have possibly said to Camilla Rivera to make her stomp out the way she did?"

"Do you mean mentioning my girlfriend would love to see Italy with me?" I ask, crossing my arms as I lean against the banister. "I said nothing meant to offend her. Stating that my girlfriend, whenever I get one, will be my travel partner is not a crime nor meant to offend."

Papa's expression softens and he shakes his head while glancing over his shoulder. When he looks back at me, he chuckles.

"Las mujeres," he says, shrugging. "Do you have a girlfriend?"

"I've not met her yet," I reply with a smile. "Camilla is not her, I know that for certain."

"You will have to meet someone eventually. Hopefully before you reach thirty."

"Before I'm thirty, I will marry the right girl. Eso es una promesa, Papa."

He nods appreciatively and returns to his guests. Well, that was quite the smooth conversation. I remember the last time we spoke about me getting married was a year ago. My father had wanted me to court the daughter of his colleague. It didn't work between us and before I could get my father to understand that fact, the girl came out engaged already. She had been secretly seeing someone else.

"Hermano," Andrea appears beside me with a wide grin. "I think Gerardo likes me."

"I do not doubt that," I reply with a chuckle. "Should I be worried?"

"No, I do not think so, but . . . would it be wrong if I liked him too?"

"I'm not the one you need to worry about," I nudge her shoulder. "Our mother on the other hand? Worry about her."

"I'm perfectly able to handle myself," Andrea rolls her eyes, crossing her arms as we lean on the banister together. "Adán, do you think he really likes me? Or is he just having his fun like always?"

"Tendrás que preguntarle," I say, patting her shoulder. "It's not for me to speak for him. If you feel that you don't believe him, I will gladly smack him around."

She laughs and nudges my arm with her shoulder. Our conversation dies as we watch the waves. Something we haven't done since we were younger. Mami used to take us to the beach and we would just sit watching the water lap at the sand. It was so calming and invigorating at the same time.

"I really want Gerardo to be serious," Andrea says after a while. "He's just . . . He has a routine with all the other girls and I don't want to be another conquest."

"If he makes you another, I'll kill him," I reply, hugging her shoulders. "Recuerde que dije eso."

"I will."

***

I'm falling asleep at my computer. There was something I wanted to do, but I can't remember what it was. I know it was important. But it's just too late and I'm exhausted. I resolve to shut down and just go to bed. I turn off the screen and kick off my shoes, walking blindly towards my bed. I collapse on the pillows and I do not move until morning.

When the sun comes up, I shoot out of bed. I remember what I had meant to do last night and I grimace. I was supposed check on Estrella. She was the friend having a hard time with her family. She was going to get a job and had told me a few of her options.

I go over to my computer and turn it on. But when I open the conversation, I see that Estrella sent me a message last night.

Going to be away for a while. Job interviews and stuff. Extrañaré hablar contigo. Be safe.

I frown, shutting my computer down again. I could have sent her a reply, letting her know that I'd be here when she needs me. But something about telling her that would be wrong. As if making a promise to her I may not be able to keep. I don't want to be that guy. Promises need to be kept, or else don't make them. Estrella is not anyone I should be making promises to. I hardly know her. And it's not likely we'll ever meet anyway. As much as I would like to.

"Adán?"

I turn around and find my mother standing in the doorway. She's dressed in a salmon skirt-suit and is adjusting a matching hat on her head.

"Tu padre nos lleva a un almuerzo temprano," she says, folding her as she starts to pull on a pair of gloves. "Change; we leave in ten minutes."

"Esta bien," I say as she leaves.

I push to my feet and go to the bureau.

***

"I am thinking of hosting gala," my father says as the family enjoys brunch. "A masquerade gala."

"Oh!" Andrea beams and claps her hands excitedly. "Eso sera un buen idea, Papi!"

"It will give you both a chance to mingle. Tal vez Adán pueda encontrarse con alguien allí."

I resist the temptation to roll my eyes. Why the sudden consistency in the topic? Have we not discussed it enough in the last couple of weeks? I suppose not.